Julie James writes it, we read it, we
love it- - rinse, lather, repeat. This time around we take an attractive
journalist, add one snarky, kick ass family lawyer, multiply by their complicated
pasts and a convenient "my sister needs your help, so let’s- grudgingly- work together” story line, (and subtract a
'cavalcade' of misunderstood female companion sightings) = and you've got your
next best read.
Read an
except: here
Ford Dixon can get to the bottom of any story for his numerous investigative pieces for the
local newspaper. His instinct bodes well professionally, but sometimes falls short outside of the newsroom - especially when Victoria Slade enters his life (and
the apartment next door).
Slade, a
highly successful divorce lawyer, has seen it all. The trials of life have helped
mold Victoria into the woman she is today. She’s the always on-it,
semi-compulsive, love-cynic wunderkind that clients love as much as opposing
counsel loathes. A traumatic episode sets her down a path of losing that hard-won
control and it’s through resilience and some well-meaning prodding by her pesky-cute (new word) neighbor
that she’ll begin to do the ground work needed to get to the root of
her issues.
And pesky-cute neighbor guy…the one with penis pop parties with brunettes at night and mysterious blondes saying they loves him in the A.M. --well, he has his own
misguided philosophies and views on love to reevaluate.
These two are perfectly imperfect for one
another, and while working towards a mutual goal, they'll recognize that fact profoundly-
or risk devastating the other in resisting.
Rating:
3 3/4 Red
Roses
My Favorite
Part of the Book: Is when Victoria comes face to face with one of her biggest fears
since her ordeal. Ford is on hand to catch her when she falls (quite literally)
and this scene represents chapters and chapters of buildup! Reader can tell
something to this effect is coming. The suspense was palpable and very well done!
The winning components to this novel are the
skillfully crafted characters. James really takes her time molding an H/h
readers will actually care about. You instantly connect with Victoria from the
first scene as she lives through a nightmare and works through the subsequent
aftershock. Fear and anxiety are familiar emotions for anyone- and the author
plays with them memorably. Ford also wars with his past and the empathy you'll
share spans actual sadness to tentative hope.
On the flip
side, with so much concentration on developing these perfectly flawed
characters, I felt slightly deprived of that interaction and romance I wanted for H/h.
The therapy sessions started to crowd the story and once the H/h finally get busy it took me off guard a bit (all this time was spent developing these amazing characters
separately that when they came together I wasn't prepped enough for that dynamic). I found myself wanting to scream "YOU GOT ME! I CARE!",
let’s get more scenes like the Taste of
Chicago that don't have the whole battle of wills thing going all out.
Ya'll know I am all action/need to see cars blowing up, etc- so therapy sessions with a lot of internal plot
movement/set up kills me- only James could keep me as engage as I was considering
my disposition to these methods.
So like it, love
it, you'll definitely feel the heat Suddenly One THIS Summer!
Don't forget
to check out:
This has so far been my favorite book I've read this summer so far. But I recently started Leslie Hachtel's Texas Summer and I think it is fantastic as well! Great reads I've found this summer, been a good run!
ReplyDeleteThis has so far been my favorite book I've read this summer so far. But I recently started Leslie Hachtel's Texas Summer and I think it is fantastic as well! Great reads I've found this summer, been a good run!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll have to give this one a try! Thanks for another wonderful review :)
ReplyDelete